An Hour Later
I got home and unlocked my front door. The house was empty. My footsteps made hollowed sounds as I stomped up the wooden stairs and to my room. As soon as I got there, I blasted my radio at its highest volume. The sounds were somewhat working to calm me down, but I felt lonely and agitated without Kim by my side. I worried what happened with her since I can't get a hold of her at all. But knowing her background she's probably held up by that asshole of a father again and there's nothing I can do about it.
Suddenly, the house telephone started singing the tune to 'Aura Lee'. I ignored the call, not up to getting it and talking on the phone. The song finished, and the message machine came on.
"Hi! This is the Matsumoto residence! I can't answer the phone, so why don't-cha leave your name and your phone number…" (beep)
"Kasumi?" said a familiar voice. My interest perked up and I actually got up from my bed to get the phone. I clicked it on.
"Kyoya?" Hard to believe he would call me, it made all my agitation wither down a bit.
"Good evening," he replied.
"Do you need something?" I asked.
"Actually, yes, I do. I need you to do something for me."
"And what makes you think I'll follow your orders?" My spirits lifting a bit, he seemed to notice.
"It involves ruining Renge's plans for the Host Club."
"Ooo, interesting," I said slyly. "Talk"
"If my calculations are correct, and Renge is the person I'm expecting her to be, tomorrow will prove to be semi-dangerous for the Host Club."
"How so?" I wondered.
"Renge is planning to shoot a short film with the Host Club's new characters. I'm worried about the bullying segment."
I would be concerned too if a club that doesn't allow violence is filmed doing such and the club gets taken down.
"So...what's my job?"
"Keep an eye on everything, and if Renge gets out of hand, do whatever it takes to get her attention."
"Why am I doing this?" Factor one is that I left the scene today a little fearful. Factor two is I don't like her.
"You're still part of the Host Club, so you still need to attend the filming. You'll sit on the side and watch for anything that may pose a threat."
"What in the world could possibly go wrong?" Oops, that was probably a really bad line to say.
"I don't know, but at least you'll come prepared."
"Wait, so if I really wanted to get Renge's attention… am I allowed to like… spray her down with a hose? Or throw a rock at her?"
"Nothing explicitly violent, mind you."
"...tch"
"Just remember to come tomorrow. I do believe we'll need your assistance."
"Alright, but I'm not doing any of her character crap."
"That's fine."
"..."
"What?"
"Oh no, I was just about to ask you where you got my number, but you're probably sitting in front of my secret files and reviewing every single person I've talked to in order to ensure that I'm mentally stable." He laughed whole-heartedly.
"I may or may not be."
"Whatever. I'll talk to you later." Smiling, this was a first for me to actually smile towards one of the host members. They are all good people I suppose, without the cocky attitude, but it's never quite occurred to me that I would be having a civil conversation over the phone with one.
"Oh, and Kasumi—don't take Renge's application on you too seriously," he said. "She doesn't know what happened to your family."
"...so you know," I said cautiously.
"I do."
"Will you be telling anyone?"
"It's none of my business."
"Thank you," I added sincerely.
"It's fine."
"Then I'll be seeing you."
"Right… Good-bye." I dropped the phone to my sides, listening to the repetition of beeping after he hung up. The house was silent once more. I hung up the phone and placed it back on the base.
"I should go check up on Kim, this is the third day of her not showing up."